‘It’s probably not. I’m sure it’s not. No.’

It was painful as I could not breathe. I thought about Marquis François Duhem’s face as I did my best to reject such a terrible hypothesis. I twisted my whole body and Captain Duhem moved his hand away in shock. “Huuuuu.”

“I apologize for my actions, your highness. I did not consider the width of my hand.”

“Cough, cough!”

“Shh. You must be quiet, Prince Jesse.” He placed his index finger on his mouth and whispered. He even looked around to see if anybody had woken up.

I clenched my eyes, which were full of tears, before opening them back. The Captain of the Imperial Guard, whose face was as warm as usual, was kneeling on one knee while looking at me. It finally felt like I met the person I knew. I could breathe for a different reason.

He immediately started loosening the ropes tying me down without saying anything. Demy, who woke up, flapped his ears and sniffed the man. Captain Duhem chuckled and petted the divine beast despite being busy.

“I’m sorry for scaring you earlier, divine beast-nim.”

– Squee

“Captain Duhem, right now…… What are you doing?”

I became confused and whispered. He answered seriously.

“I will make the carriage stop soon, your highness. We left quickly and did not rest the horses at all because of the Imperial Decree, so I will say that we should get some rest so the horses can drink some water.”

“Yes sir.”

My mind was a chaotic mess, but I nodded my head for now. The ropes were barely around me now. Captain Duhem then took a sleeping Tithé out of his armor.

This little harp seal, who liked humans and had a great life, was melted like rice cake in between Captain Duhem’s muscles. The Captain of the Imperial Guard carefully placed him in my arms.

“When I tell you all to get some air, please go over the eastern forest with the divine beast-nims. We are near my brother’s territory, so you should be able to get help. Some of the knights and I will divert their attention.”

“Excuse me……?”

I blankly asked back. ‘What is he talking about?’

“I’m sorry, your highness. We do not have the time for me to explain in detail.”

“Please at least give me a short explanation.”

I requested. His voice heavily sank down.

“…The Imperial Guard is aiming for you, your highness. They are probably trying to kill you.”

His deep gaze looked full of regret. I could not say anything because I was shocked. Clack, clack. Only the sound of horse hooves and the noises of the carriage could be heard.

‘No……’

“Are you able to just give me the long explanation then? Didn’t you say that you came here on an Imperial Decree to get me? Then perhaps-”

“No, your highness. Her Majesty, her Eminence, and his Royal Highness all trust you. The mission I received was to safely escort you back to the Imperial Palace.”

I thought that they would all trust me, but hearing it like this made me sigh in relief. The Captain of the Imperial Guard moved his large body silently to take a look at Sir Johann. His handsome forehead soon frowned. He used a key to unlock the ether restraining tool.

“They seemed to have used a tranquilizer usually saved for high-grade demonic beasts. We need a strong antidote……”

“Captain Duhem.”

I urged him on. Demy, who understood what he was saying, intelligently started growing all sorts of medicinal herbs in his front paw. He lowered his head and smiled bitterly.

“It is as you saw, your highness. I never ordered my subordinates to do this to Sir Geens.”

“……”

“The restraining tool was necessary for following protocol. However, not this. Furthermore, the Imperial Guard should never do something I do not order, no matter what. This is because it would go against her Majesty’s will. I did not train my soldiers to act this way.”

Captain Duhem then quickly released everyone’s bindings. The way he made it look the same but adjusted the strength of the bindings were top-notch. I cautiously whispered.

“I did get a bit angry about how the Imperial Guard treated Sir Johann, but…… That alone shouldn’t be the reason you believe they are trying to kill me.”

“You don’t look surprised, your highness.”

He placed pillows under Lady Bellang and Elody’s heads as he mumbled.

“The Imperial Guard members who were already at the Barony did not look shocked at all when I read off your crimes. I felt that something was wrong because of that. Something…… Seemed unnatural.”

It was basically a warrior’s sixth sense. It was hard to say it felt forced. I had the same thought. I even thought that they looked extremely calm and had no reaction despite the sudden situation.

“Are you saying that they expected me to get arrested?”

“Yes, your highness. I’ve been sensing some murderous intent for about an hour or two. Inexperienced knights are unable to fully hide their auras. They are as tense as if they are plotting a murder.”

“But why would they make such a dangerous plan? Who would dare to plant people in her Majesty’s second sword……”

Enlightenment struck me like a thunderbolt at that moment. Then a shock struck me like a tsunami. I got chills all over my body and my chin was shaking as if it was broken. I vigorously shook my head. ‘Absolutely not.’

“There’s no way.”

“Your highness.”

A development like this was impossible.

“This makes no sense. You agree, don’t you? It makes no sense at all.”

“Please calm down.”

Something like this could not happen.

“Why would Duke Sarnez-”

My voice cracked at the end.

“I don’t know either, your highness.”

Captain Duhem looked as if he was stabbed by a dagger as he answered. I gasped as I even forgot how to breathe. The chit chat we had as we passed by Juliette Palace’s garden suddenly struck me like a blunt blow.

‘There are many new faces here.’

‘These are new knights and soldiers from the Sarnez territory. We have recruited many of them with Duke Simon de Sarnez’s support.’

‘……It is rare for knights and elite soldiers to come in large numbers like this.’

And the way the unfamiliar members of the Imperial Guard were peeking glances at me…

“A mistake…… We must be making a mistake. We-”

“Your highness. Your safety is my top priority. My duty is to deal with any and all suspicious situations no matter how small.”

He calmly scolded me. I did my best to focus. The main character was living well. Christelle was getting through each and every day. The author shouldn’t be doing something like this.

At the same time, only the author was capable of doing something like this. It was beneficial for me and for everybody else here, the sooner I accepted this reality.

Captain Duhem placed some orbs into my hands that were tied behind my back.

“Please break these to request for help once you enter my brother’s territory.”

“Haaa, ugh.”

‘Please calm down, Jung Yeseo. Please.’ I gulped.

“……Will someone come despite it being the middle of the night?”

My voice was shaking. Captain Duhem brightly smiled.

“Please don’t worry, your highness. He enjoys gazing at the moon, so I’m certain he will notice the rescue signal. Furthermore, my brother-”

Swish! He urgently lowered his shoulder and stuck against the window. Ganael sleepily opened his eyes.

I closed my mouth and shook my head. ‘Please stay quiet.’

“……”

The young boy looked back and forth at the Captain of the Imperial Guard and me before gathering the medicinal herbs Demy grew with his feet.

He was extremely smart even while not being fully awake. I thanked him multiple times in my mind.

“My brother has never ignored this ray of light in his life. He will come even if he is sick.”

“I, I will help you, Captain Duhem. Everything will be resolved quickly if I give a Divine Oracle.”

“No, your highness.”

Captain Duhem tightened his armor and gloves as he answered. The moonlight shone down on his solemn gaze.

“We can’t ignore the fact that they may have already received a Divine Oracle.”

“……”

He was right.

If they were moving after receiving a Divine Oracle from an Archbishop stronger than me, basically, if they had been brainwashed to do what they were doing, my Divine Oracle would not work.

“Furthermore, you are currently being accused of conspiring a rebellion. That is why you cannot give them any reason to justify their attack. Please leave the carriage without a single speck of dust on you. We will take care of the rest.”

I clenched my teeth. The enemy wanted me to die before I could meet with Cardinal Boutier. They wanted me to disappear from this world without being able to clear my name, they wanted me to die with disgrace and dishonor.

‘But for what?’

“……How many?”

I barely managed to open my mouth and ask the most important question right now. Captain Duhem peeked toward the carriage door. Something that looked like gum was in the tiny crack in the door.

‘That must be why it was quiet when he came in.’

“Five including me, your highness.”

I urgently looked back at him. There were at least forty knights with us but Captain Duhem only had four other helpers. The enemy also consisted of elites. Based on our suspicions, the enemies would go all out, as they were dead if they didn’t. I was sure that they had both swordsmen and mages.

“Your highness, you are the only one who would look at the Empire’s greatest mage as if he was looking at a puppy.”

He spoke as if to console me. His light pink eyes elegantly curled up.

“I cannot go on my own. My mental state will not allow me to do that. How can I go while leaving everybody here-”

“I will wake Sir Geens up. The divine beast-nim piled up all those medicinal herbs for us so at least one of them should work. Even if he is unable to fight with us, he should be able to protect the civilians.”

“But still……”

‘It’s still scary and dangerous. I’m sure being strong doesn’t mean that you don’t feel fear.’

“Your highness, please inform my brother about the situation. Her Majesty does not suspect the Duke at all. That is why we must send a message to the Imperial Palace-”

– Baaaaang!

The carriage door went flying. Captain Duhem almost jumped to cover me. Everybody was jolted awake. The carriage shook intensely from side to side.

– Neeeeeeigh!

“Woah! Wooooah!”

“Aaaaaah!”

The horses went wild, the coachman became flustered, and the passengers screamed. The December night wind attacked like a storm. I saw some uninvited guests in the darkness. We had been caught. Sharp blades and the Imperial Guard insignia flashed.

– Huuuuuu.

I took a deep breath. Captain Duhem, who was covering me, moved like lightning. Claaaaang! He blocked a sword with his arm guard before pulling out a dagger with his other sword and…

– Stab!

“Aaah!”

He stabbed it into the enemy’s leg without any hesitation and swiftly turned.

– Baaaaang!

He used the rebound to kick the enemy out of the carriage. The man’s single-worded scream became distant.

“Aaah!”

“Fuck, attack!”

– Clang, clang!

“Kill them all!”

“Make sure to kill the prince!”

I heard a mixture of that scary order and the sounds of swords being drawn. The carriage instantly slowed down. ‘Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!’ The fight already seemed to have started outside.

Baron Bellang released everyone’s bindings and had them grab pillows or things like tables. Ganael started to prepare the medicinal herbs to feed Sir Johann. Captain Duhem clenched his teeth as he stood up. Red mana burst out of his black skin.

– Ooooooong!

“You rookies must not know how hierarchy works.”

A clear magic formation appeared underneath his feet. Clang, clang clang! Red metallic light fanned out to create seven squares.

Boom!

“Aaaaah!”

A soldier who was charging at him could not defeat the strength of the defensive magic formation and was flung away.

“Captain Hervé!”

Someone shouted as loudly as they could from outside. A brown pole flew in through the open door. Grab! Captain Duhem grabbed it without even looking at it. Everything happened in an instant. An orb the size of a bowling ball rose up at the end of the pole before dangling on metal chains that grew like vines.

– Clank, clank!

It finished with metal thorns coming out of the orb. My jaw dropped. The Captain of the Imperial Guard’s magic tool weapon was a flail!

“I will make sure to train my subordinates properly the next time we meet, your highness.”

He looked at me and smiled brightly. The carriage had completely stopped at some point.

‘No.’

“Captain-”

“Please look after my weakened brother. Divine beast-nim!”

– Screeeeech!

Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuumble! A large vine grew at the entrance of the carriage.

Demy’s vines wrapped me up like kimbap as soon as I stopped being bound by the ropes. I hugged Tithé in my arms out of reflex. My body was jerked and I instantly flew out of the carriage!

“Ahh, Demy! Whose divine beast are you?!”

– Kiiiis!

‘Who the heck is Kii?!’ The red panda ran toward the forest extremely quickly.

“The prince is running away! Get him!”

“Chase him!”

“I can’t let you do that.”

I heard Captain Duhem’s gloomy voice. I looked back one last time. Once he clenched his fist…

– Crrrrr!

“Huh?! I can’t see anything!”

“My eyes!”

The area around the soldiers became covered in black fog. This was Captain Duhem’s specialty, darkness. Swish, swish, swish! He swung his flail like flashes of lightning toward the anxious enemies. Three or four of them were flung back in an instant.

– Pow, puuuk!

“Uuuuuuuuugh!”

“Shit, those of you who can’t use mana get back!”

I quickly turned my gaze and lowered my head. I could see the red drops of blood despite it being dusk. My stomach churned from the fear rushing inside of me. Leaves as cold as glass brushed by my cheeks and neck.

“Prince Jesse, please escape safely!”

I could hear Benjamin shouting toward me from the now distant path. My eyes were warm with tears. I let out a warm breath and nodded my head.

—
Translator’s Comments

WHO CUT THE ONION?!!!

<< Previous Chapter | Index | Next Chapter >>